Alpha Chi Omega - University of Missouri

Alpha Chi Omega at the University of Missouri • Fall 2015 Alpha Chi Recognized for Risk Management Leadership at Chancellor's Summit on Sexual Assault and Student Safety T he safety of members has been enhanced markedly over the past year with the addition of electronic exterior door locks, the completion of a new parking lot closer to the chapter house and the installation of a security system with cameras. Finally, after two years of planning, the new parking lot less than 100 yards from the chapter house is finished; providing parking space for 33 cars. This is a vast improvement from the old lot, which had space for only 21 cars and was two full blocks from the chapter house. The new lot is well-lit and fully landscaped. The installation of new electronic locks with fingerprint scanners was completed prior to members returning in August. Access to the chapter house is now well-controlled. The fingerprint scanners provide more security—no lost keys or access cards or giving the code to the lock to non- members. Recognition of fingerprints is controlled by a computer program. The security system has 13 cameras placed strategically in the chapter house and externally New Parking Lot and Security System Highlight Summer 2015 Improvements T he University of Missouri was featured in news stories across the country in conjunction with a June 20 gathering of student leaders, alumnae from sororities and fraternities, and members of the administration for a summit to discuss student safety and risk management. At the summit, Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs Cathy Scroggs proposed numerous initiatives aimed at reducing opportunities for sexual assault on campus. The summit was controversial because of publicity surrounding the initiatives and their focus on the Greek community at Mizzou. Several of the initiatives proposed by the Interfraternity Council (IFC) and the Panhellenic Association (PHA) were reviewed and discussed. Per the chancellor, Mizzou's Greek life is blazing a new trail that could become the model for universities across the country. ACW National President Diane Blackwelder, Omicron '67 and ACW Director of Collegiate Experience Katelyn Whitty, Zeta Psi '01 attended along with Alpha Nu chapter officers, advisory board and house corporation board members. Some of the ideas were carried back to Alpha Chi National Headquarters with the possibility of creating programming and policies on a national level to address sexual assault. Examples of some preliminary changes include new policies in the fraternity houses that could limit alcoholic beverages to beer only, opening up common areas in fraternity houses, increasing peer education programs and partnering with other advocacy groups on campus to mitigate risk to students. PHA is working on a new sexual violence education plan, as well as providing self-defense classes, town hall meetings to discuss issues, and other forums for breaking down barriers and taboos about sexual assault and clearing up misconceptions about Title IX. Staff from Mizzou's Office of Greek Life recognized Alpha Chi Omega for the chapter's work to support the victims of domestic violence, promote healthy relationships and encourage members through our tagline, Real. Strong. Women. Specifically, the speakers complimented Alpha Chi Omega's partnership with True North and its events that already combat domestic and sexual assault issues such as These Hands Don't Hurt and Take Back the Night. A summary of the proposed actions include tightening parameters for out-of-town socials, increasing the number of sober monitors for events, encouraging women to report incidents of assault via a link on the Greek Life website and forming an education committee of various campus entities to brainstorm ideas on combating sexual assault. Alpha Nu already has initiated Title IX training and arranged for a series of educational speakers this semester so that our members know how to respond to this issue. The chapter is also reconfiguring its risk management program. All of these initiatives combined will make Mizzou a safer place for all students. I encourage parents and alumnae to contact me if they have any further questions on Alpha Nu's approach to keeping our members safe and healthy. Loyally, Bev Wood Nichols '75 President, House Corporation Board kc5cents@aol.com "I like how the parking lot is so much closer to the house. It makes it so much easier to run errands!" KELSEY BRANDES '14 (Continued on page 2)

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